With key local, state, and national seats up for grabs in the upcoming midterm elections, SVSU student voters have an opportunity to influence political decisions.
The policies being debated will affect students’ future careers and day-to-day lives.
Dr. Travis Pashak, Associate Professor of Psychology and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, commented on the topic.
“State-level politics should not be overlooked. Just because this season is not a presidential election does not mean that people should sit out…,” he said. “Give serious thought to the candidates and proposals. Decisions this year can have significant consequences for the future of Michigan’s education, health care, industrial development, and so much more.”
Dr. Pashak’s focus on state-level policy consequences reflects how SVSU student political organization leaders are framing their party’s policy platforms.
President of the College Democrats of SVSU, Keaton Henning, and President of the SVSU College Republicans, Brayden Jarvis, each outlined how their respective parties are addressing critical issues facing young voters.
When asked about how the job security of SVSU students post-graduation and all Michigan citizens will be represented by their party’s candidates, Henning stresses the importance of expanding high-paying jobs across Michigan, pointing to local state-supported developments.
“The Dow Medical Diamond, that’s a big one. That’s going into Saginaw,” said Henning. “That is going to be huge, especially for anybody who’s going into like health, human services, body science.”
Differing from this view, the republicans see taking advantage of local opportunities and putting in the effort to advance as the necessary way to achieve job security.
“It’s just about opportunity. You need to work your way up, and you need to work through it,” Jarvis said to describe the more opportunistic approach that the republican party is leading with.
Jarvis brought up artificial intelligence as an opportunity for employment.
“The iron is super hot on AI. Even data centers need workers,” Jarvis said about utilizing artificial intelligence in maintaining Michigan’s technological relevancy.
Henning’s view of AI is built upon caution and regulation.
“There should be reform, 100%, especially for AI usage when it comes to making money in corporations… the writing should come from yourself,” Henning states.
Both organization presidents presented their parties’ education platforms as critical, but their approaches differ.
The democratic party advocates for government-funded aid toward higher education to create pathways for livable wages.
“We need funding on a level that provides access to higher education from high school,” said Henning. “A big thing for me was the Michigan Achievement Scholarship… a scholarship straight from the state government under Gretchen Whitmer”.
The republican party emphasizes personal responsibility regarding student debt and the need for people to be informed of all their opportunities.
“There needs to be an educational standpoint to where kids and young adults understand what they’re getting into,” stated Jarvis.
Despite their differing political views, both presidents agree that getting students to the polls starts with an informed student body.
To help students navigate the ballots, both Henning and Jarvis highlight Cardinals Vote as an essential starting point. As SVSU’s non-partisan voter engagement initiative, it offers students reliable, clear information regardless of political affiliation.
